I need help already!!! ( wedding Q ) - what did i get into???!!!

luvbug00 wrote: As of now you are all my consultants! since I will be doing this without a planner I'm gonna need some hones answers from ya'll!!

ok location, location , location... options are...

1. An itallian resturant that our family goes to for pretty much every special occasion.

2.

Big and not as cheep. (we'd have to hire caterer and such) but oh soo pretty.

3. have it a local hotel which is pretty but ehh (sorry can't post pic or I'd post website and my location )

Question numero dos...Invites.

Make them? or buy them?

any feed back would be awsome!!

C&K*s Mommie replied: (1) With so many choices in invites that can relate ot you personally, I say search, search & search until you find that perfect one that screams "this is for me!"

(2) Just by the looks of it, that restaraunt looks great. But when your budget (if you are so unlucky to have one) does not fit it & the caterer & the long list of other things you wish to have included in it-- the hotel may be the next best option. They can make ballrooms/banquet halls look nothing like what it really is.

(3) Decide if you will have to have a budget, and work with that in mind. Just remember that having a beautiful day (i.e. wedding) is the most ideal thing, when the bill begin to roll in.... well it is not so pretty! It is cliche' to say this but here goes.... it is the marriage that is most important, not just the wedding day!

PrairieMom replied: I say if you have the time and talent, then make the invitations. it is a simple way to cut corners. spend that $ twards your dress!

MyLuvBugs replied: I love planning weddings!! So, this is absolutely fun. Thanks for asking us all!!

Ok. hmmmm. Well, I personally don't think you should have it at the italian restaurant b/c you do have all family occasions there. Everyone has been there and done that. Know what I mean? The picture of the one place is GORGEOUS, but if it's out of your budget, then it's out too. So, I would say go with the hotel. Then you have block out rooms for out of town guests, perhaps get a honeymoon suite for you and your soon to be husband the night of your wedding, the caterer is already there at the hotel, etc. It just seems most convenient. Again, just my opinion.

As for the invites, you can get them real cheap by purchasing them. Check around online. You can order a bunch of different magazines with free samples of invites too. Try "theknot.com". they usually have a lot of good stuff like links to wedding invite sites and stuff. BUT if you want the invites to be very personable and unique then you should make them. But keep in mind how many people you are inviting. You don't want to be sitting there making 500+ invites the month or two before the wedding.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: First of all, day or evening wedding? Also, how many guests? Sit down dinner or buffet? Do you plan on having dancing, entertainment? Why I ask is this will help determine which location would be best for you.

A hotel is always a nice option because they will have in-house caterers and all of the services will most likely be provided from them. You would work with their wedding coordinator or food and beverage manager. They can probably also help you bring in a Dj and they may even own their own dance floor...they will have rentals (tables, chairs, linens) all on hand too. Plus, guests can stay overnight as well (no drinking and driving)...or takes out the need to rent a limo.

The restaurant is nice for a smaller group where you just plan to have dinner. One long table is nice so that everyone can talk. Family style food or ask the manager to have only three selections for guests to choose from. You can do appetizers on a buffet so people can mingle first or just do a small plated salad. This is for more personal weddings.

The picture looks beautiful, so that would be my first choice, but it does look pricey! I bet it would look beautiful for a day wedding. But I can also picture dramatic candles illuminating off the glass at night. Both would be beautiful. Hiring all vendors yourself can get costly, but just keep a budget in mind and be straightforward with each of them. Don't let them sucker you into getting anything you don't want or need. When you get to that point (ordering rentals and such), let me know and I can help with quantities if needed. That one location (the picture place) may have an exclusive vendor list that you must choose from, so ask ahead of time. This means they only work with certain vendors, which means if you book with them, you will have to as well. This makes things $$$ sometimes.

Invites...I actually made my own, but our wedding was only 28 people. I bought a rubber stamp of a fall leaf and found blank cardstock with an embossed border from a stationary store. I put vellum over top where I printed the wording just on my computer. Punched a hole in the top and tied with a ribbon. I really liked them and people complimented me on making them myself. Much more personal. Invites can get expensive, but IMO, they don't have to be. It can be as simple as black or silver writing on white cardstock and maybe get a little stamp of a wedding cake, wine glass or your's and Brad's initials and stamp it on top. Wahla!

Yay, I love this stuff! Have fun! Sorry this was so long!

C&K*s Mommie replied: BTW... when is the wedding??

amymom replied: Oh I love planning weddings. Thanks for asking us all to consult.

So what are your thoughts on things, like Rae and others asked---details like when, how many guests, your picture formal or intimate, etc.?

kimberley replied: make the invites. it's far cheaper and more personal.

as for location, are they all close to the place you are getting married? do they offer packages or discounts on other things (food, dj, photographer)? location to do pics? brides room?

for me, the quality of food and service really did outweigh the prettiness of the place. i actually got an amazing deal from one of the local wedding shows for a banquet hall. there was hot/cold hors douvres, receiving line shots, chair covers, linens, centerpieces, dj, dessert table etc etc for about $50pp. and the place was nice and had a bride's room to change in and separate entrance so my wedding wouldn't be mixed with anyone elses. good luck!

holley79 replied: I made my invitations and they were really nice and not as costly. If you can squeeze the picture and that is what you really want go for it. The most important part for me was my dress. Luckily I found it on the clearence rack at a boutique here. My veil was more then the dress.

If you go with the hotel, see what kind of room deals you can get, the catering etc. You will be suprised what something likes like decorated up. Something that was just bland. Picture it in your mind. Sometimes if you have it at a hotel they will throw in a suite for you and the groom.

Ok this is all I can come up with right now. Defiantly check around online and get some ideas that way. You see something you like there are times it's easier to make it then order it.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

luvbug00 replied: WOW I forgot about so much (linens and little stuff!!) to make this short and sweet.

* date november 3 next year ( a friday night to cut cost)
* we want the weddiing and reception in the same location ( Rea we got some serious Irish and Germans in the family )
* hotel package includes this....

Votive Candles for Guest Tables

Direction Cards for Out of Town Guests

Complimentary Dance Floor

Staging for a Band or DJ

Complimentary Deluxe Bridal Suite for the Bride and Groom
including Champagne, Strawberries and turn down service

Reduced Room Rates for Overnight Guests

Professional Banquet Captain for Your Special Day

White Glove Service for Cocktail Hour

Champagne Toast

Bartender Fees

Room Set Up Fees

Room Rental

Selection of Elegant Linens

you can also get a planner too.

I also went to michaels and found some awsome things for invites and 120 guest ( roughly) will cost $60 including decorations but if i do it online it's $89 for 100 with prining done.

* night wedding and fiesta.
* sit down dinner.

Thanks you all !!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I think the hotel sounds like the best bet Nadia! But just remember, nothing is free unless it says "complimentary". They will tag everything into an overall cost. You can always ask if they will itemize a list of costs for you so you can see where you can cut. I think it's so much nicer to have the guests stay there so that they can enjoy the night and not have to drive, same with you two.

Getting printed invites for less than $1 a piece is a good deal to me, so if you don't feel like making them, I would order them for sure!!

Sounds great!! Are you starting to look for a dress?

MyLuvBugs replied: I agree with Rae. The hotel sounds like your best bet. And you can have the ceremony in one of the banquet rooms and rent some really great supplies from Michaels, hobby lobby, or some other craft store.

It sounds like it's going to be a beautiful occasion. Just don't let your family turn it into "their" wedding. Personally, I recommend getting the planner just to help you keep everything organized. It will also help to keep the family under control when the wedding gets closer.